Misean Cara is seeking qualified and motivated candidates for the position of Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person P/T (3 days per week)

Reporting to the CEO, the Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person will have the main responsibility for managing child protection policies and issues in Misean Cara.

MISEAN CARA

Founded in 2004, Misean Cara is a faith based organisation of 89 congregations who are committed to working with and for the marginalised and most vulnerable people in the developing world.  Our members live within marginalised communities and work in the areas of education, healthcare including HIV/AIDs, community development, income generation, water and sanitation, the environment and human rights. Our purpose is to be in solidarity with the poor in ways that transform lives while respecting the integrity of local cultures.

Our 4 year Strategic Plan 2013-2016 sets out our priorities including;

To support initiatives that address the structural causes of poverty, vulnerability and marginalisation
To focus funding on work that makes a significant positive difference to the lives of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised
To provide capacity building and organisational development support to assist member organisations and their partners to deliver high quality development work
To enhance Misean Cara systems, processes, governance and internal communications to ensure results are achieved consistently and in a cost effective manner
To augment risk management systems and processes by enhancing oversight through a greater focus on monitoring, evaluation and audits
To ensure that development results are demonstrated and communicated in ways that assure that the partner contribution and value of missionary development work is recognised within the development sector and by the public.

Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person

This is a new and important post in Misean Cara to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children is promoted and supported in a focused and structured manner.
The post holder will ensure that the organisation has in place clear and effective policies, procedures, systems, resources, training, advice and support to maintain and uphold the highest standards of child safeguarding.
The post holder will have overall responsibility to develop and support best practice child safeguarding throughout the organisation and to work alongside the Mission Development Officers in the projects funded by Misean Cara to promote child safeguarding standards in member projects

This job description should be read in conjunction with the role description outlined in Appendix 1 of the Misean Cara Child Safeguarding Policy.

Key Responsibilities:

The Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person has the main responsibility for managing child protection issues in Misean Cara and promoting child protection standards amongst Members
To liaise, network and develop positive working relationships with the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and other relevant agencies
To ensure that there are robust and transparent systems for monitoring, review and auditing of all aspects of Child Safeguarding and that all funded projects adhere to and implement these policies
Through the development of positive working relationships, to support, advise and work with  Misean Cara Development Officers and Misean Cara members to develop their own  country wide child safeguarding policies and standards
To advise and facilitate child safeguarding training to Misean Cara Staff, Board and Misean Cara members
To carry out monitoring visits (in Ireland and overseas) in conjunction with the Monitoring and Evaluation function to support, review, assess and audit the development of child safeguarding policies, structures and systems.
To ensure that the CEO and Board of Directors are appraised and updated on a regular basis on the implementation and auditing of the child safeguarding policies, procedures and systems
To develop systems, policies, procedures, resources and structures in Misean Cara that ensure the highest standards with regard to child safeguarding are in place.
To review and update the Misean Cara Child Safeguarding Policy regularly to ensure that it is in line with all legislation pertaining to best practice in Ireland and internationally.
To promote and ensure that child safeguarding is afforded high priority and is integrated into all functions within Misean Cara.
To ensure that an up to date register is maintained at Misean Cara Headquarters which details all Child Protection Training and Garda Vetting carried out by the organisation.
To collect , analyse and produce regular reports with regard to the implementation of Misean Cara safeguarding policies including incident monitoring, review and audit
To work with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to develop review and evaluation tools that identify risk and learning, and support practice development
To lead and support the development of a Child Safeguarding Committee in Misean Cara
To work in a professional manner at all times so as to reflect the values and culture of Misean Cara and ensure the rights and best interests of children are paramount.

The essential skills and attributes required of the Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person are:

Third level degree in a relevant discipline, i.e. Social Work (Social Policy, Human Rights, Children’s Rights)
3 – 5 years’ professional work experience at national or international levels in child safeguarding and protection
Strong analytical, communication & report  writing skills
Strategic thinker, planner and collaborative worker
Highly organised and able to work to deadlines
Ability to balance a range of priorities and maintain focus
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent computer skills, including the advanced features of MS Office Suite
A willingness to travel internationally, including to under-developed parts of the world
Resilient, positive and solution focused

Additional skills and attributes that would be desirable are:

A good understanding of international development;
An affinity with development work undertaken by Irish missionaries;
Experience of working in the development sector, particularly in the developing world.
Interest in social policy, human rights and social justice

Person Specification:

A passion for the well-being of children, human rights and social justice
A willingness to challenge opinion, where necessary, and to drive the child protection agenda;
Strong listening skills and the ability to deal with sensitive situations with integrity;
The confidence and good judgment to manage situations affirmatively and resolutely

Reporting to

CEO

Compensation

Remuneration will be determined according to the salary scale €50,000 – 60,000 pro rata, and dependent on skills and experience. The successful candidate will be hired on a 3 year fixed term contract, with a 9 month probationary period, subject to performance management. 3 days per week, based on 37 net working hours per week.

All positions in Misean Cara are subject to Garda vetting and full reference checks.

Misean Cara is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: 5pm, 7 September 2015.

To apply, please email jobs@miseancara.ie with your CV and a one page cover letter describing your suitability and current salary and why you are applying for this particular job (in the subject line of the email please include CSDLP).